Meyer hopes to return this season, although athletic director Bob Olson said it's too early to tell how long recovery will take. He stressed the importance of the coach's attitude.

"He'll be an impatient patient," Olson said. "We fully expect him to be back as soon as possible."

The 63-year-old Meyer is the NCAA's leader among active men's basketball coaches with 891 wins. During surgery, doctors found a slow-growing cancer in his liver and bowels.

"What's great about this is I would not have known about the cancer had I not had the wreck," the coach wrote. "God has blessed with the one thing we all need, which is truth. I can now fight with all of my ability."